Why have so many motorhomes not got a table!?

[forestfern]

I’m asking this because I cannot fathom how to live without a table. Sad isn’t it Eating, playing cards, puzzles, to rest a tablet on, even just to stick your drink on …..

Maybe I’m missing something because we are newbies on the search for our first motorhome. A lot seem to have the double sofa thing going on which obv converts, and no table in the middle. Maybe there’s a way of sneaking in a table in a van that looks like it has none? Can you adapt the floor to hold one or magic one out of a side pocket or pull one down from the ceiling or something? I don’t mean this to come across as rude, if folk can do without a table then all well and good, we each have our priorities and it certainly opens up more in the way of options when looking to buy (I think )

 

[Lenny HB]

This is the bloke that will spend 20 minutes raking stuff out of his MH garage to find something buried deep in its cavernous interior and then spend 20 minutes putting it all back again, but 30 seconds to put up a folding table is a pain in the butt.

You being Cheaky.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Never used our van fold up table as it was too big, we have side swivel and rotating tables that we use as side tables for drinks etc and eating from, unless we are outside in the pop up where we have a fold up camping table. You must have a table stored away somewhere.

 

[bigwood]

A friend of management has recently bought a motorhome and asked were the table should be. We sugested a few places to look but she still couldn’t find it so we called round to have a look.
The legs were clipped in the wardroab and the table was behind one the side cushions fastened to the side wall.

 

[Hoovie]

The last motorhome I was in had a fixed table in the middle of the lounge area. Blooming awful as it took all the floor space. Removed it so I could do some work in the battery box without being a contortionist and it stayed out as the van was so much roomier without it.

If I had a fixed table in mine, the first thing I would do would be to get rid of it
I do have a freestanding table in mine as standard that lives in a dedicated cupboard and I have only ever used that outside as it is so stupidly large. I instead fitted a Lagun swivel mount and a small round tabletop - now THAT is a table system that is worth every penny.

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[forestfern]

Thank you for all the replies, some great info which is much appreciated and some interesting thoughts.

I’m continuing to see quite a lot of photos in adverts showing no table. We have quite specific requirements so unless a motorhome ticks all the boxes we are not travelling to view them as they are usually some distance from us. Hence we haven’t asked dealers about individual cases, I have presumed that if I can’t see a table and there’s no fitting in the floor for one, that there isn’t one but some of your replies have shown me how this isn’t necessarily the case and thank you.

I think what I should have said in my opening post is “fixed table”. Fold away tables are a great idea and fulfil a purpose but I was meaning something permanent. Although by the sound of it that can be a nuisance too so good to know they can be taken out

Again wonderful replies and thanks

 

[L' Hobo]

Thank you for all the replies, some great info which is much appreciated and some interesting thoughts.

I’m continuing to see quite a lot of photos in adverts showing no table. We have quite specific requirements so unless a motorhome ticks all the boxes we are not travelling to view them as they are usually some distance from us. Hence we haven’t asked dealers about individual cases, I have presumed that if I can’t see a table and there’s no fitting in the floor for one, that there isn’t one but some of your replies have shown me how this isn’t necessarily the case and thank you.

I think what I should have said in my opening post is “fixed table”. Fold away tables are a great idea and fulfil a purpose but I was meaning something permanent. Although by the sound of it that can be a nuisance too so good to know they can be taken out

Again wonderful replies and thanks

In my Murvi, I have fittings for2 tables, one is between the front seats and the other is to the large bed/sofa. These are of the single leg clamped type which I do not trust as I can be very clumsy sometimes.

These have now been replaced with a folding 4-seater that's stored in the wardrobe and a very useful blue stool and rigid top cover which can be used as a table or tray when inverted. Both can be used both indoor and out.

PS. The publicity picture rarely show table as they wish to publicise space.

 

[Aspenshaw]

As L'Hobo's PS, on some vans dealers/brochures do not show tables because the tables clutter up the space when on show and can get damaged. Think about the new show houses which have minimal furniture, eg no TV, so the house looks bigger.

 

[Jim Chisnell]

Thank you for all the replies, some great info which is much appreciated and some interesting thoughts.

I’m continuing to see quite a lot of photos in adverts showing no table. We have quite specific requirements so unless a motorhome ticks all the boxes we are not travelling to view them as they are usually some distance from us. Hence we haven’t asked dealers about individual cases, I have presumed that if I can’t see a table and there’s no fitting in the floor for one, that there isn’t one but some of your replies have shown me how this isn’t necessarily the case and thank you.

I think what I should have said in my opening post is “fixed table”. Fold away tables are a great idea and fulfil a purpose but I was meaning something permanent. Although by the sound of it that can be a nuisance too so good to know they can be taken out

Again wonderful replies and thanks

Have a look at Swift 596 they have a fixed dinette table with seating at front, and a rear lounge, also have drop down double bed at front.

 

[Neckender]

I’ve recently had a table made with a design that Pat wanted by Chippys workshop, fitted it to a swivelling leg and I store it in the rear of our VW T6.1.

John.

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[Bailey58]

I’ve recently had a table made with a design that Pat wanted by Chippys workshop, fitted it to a swivelling leg and I store it in the rear of our VW T6.1.

John.

View attachment 682501View attachment 682502View attachment 682503

Nice set up but that table top needs changing, jam on top? Oh that was another thread.

 

[pete4x4]

I've seen a few discard the supplied table in favour of a smaller lighter fold up one. Maybe in this case the previous owners then took the table with them.
Some folk are strange!!

 

[Trevor Wbm]

Many have a folding table stored away in a very thin cupboard. Ours does

Yep. Found it only after we'd bought an overpriced one from GoOutdoors, the cupboard isn't obvious until you're kneeling down to clean the fridge. Fortunately they saw the funny side and we got a refund.

 

[Puddleduck]

We have a small one for general use, but have to keep the big one as it forms part of the bed base when converting the rear lounge.

We have the same solution and only use the supplied table when we need to use the make up bed. Otherwise we have a folding table (bought in a sale) which can be used inside or out.

The supplied table hangs on a side wall of the van and has a folding leg attached to the table top so no fitting on the floor.

 

[L' Hobo]

I’ve recently had a table made with a design that Pat wanted by Chippys workshop, fitted it to a swivelling leg and I store it in the rear of our VW T6.1.

John.

View attachment 682501View attachment 682502View attachment 682503

I Have an original one, similar to that, in my 1989 T25 Westfalia California. Mine swings away over the storage area but, like yours, can swing out to make a large table in front of the rock & roll bed when it is in its seat position or as a prep area in front of the cooker/sink.
(See it between the cooker unit and before the upright cupboard in the picture, hard to see as from the angle it looks like a shelf, it's so discreet.)

It might be worth having a look because, like ALL the older Westfalia ideas, it's a well thought out bit of kit and has not got to be dismantled when not in use.

PS. Yours looks very good except, is the arm not too close to the door when it is being used with the door closed??

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[pelican]

Small one for general use but the wife likes a big one in the evenings.

 

[68c]

Oh dear.

 

[mr numpty]

I’m asking this because I cannot fathom how to live without a table. Sad isn’t it Eating, playing cards, puzzles, to rest a tablet on, even just to stick your drink on …..

Maybe I’m missing something because we are newbies on the search for our first motorhome. A lot seem to have the double sofa thing going on which obv converts, and no table in the middle. Maybe there’s a way of sneaking in a table in a van that looks like it has none? Can you adapt the floor to hold one or magic one out of a side pocket or pull one down from the ceiling or something? I don’t mean this to come across as rude, if folk can do without a table then all well and good, we each have our priorities and it certainly opens up more in the way of options when looking to buy (I think )

i have two tables have not got any idea how to make them work

 

[DerryW]

Our first Adria had a large, fixed table, this one has a large, fixed table, but, if folds in half. makes a massive difference in terms of space.

 

[kev54]

Our Bessacarr had a steel folding table stored in the wardrobe - weighed a ton! It’s now in the attic with all the other bits we don’t want. Folding plastic-topped table now in the wardrobe and quite a few kilos lighter

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[poppycamper]

According to DVLA.. If it does not have a table or means to have one.. it is not a Motor Caravan

 

[sciac2001]

Our table is too big for our pvc.
I could do with a chippiy to make me a one-off smaller folding one.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

According to DVLA.. If it does not have a table or means to have one.. it is not a Motor CaravanView attachment 682695

Many PVCs won't be DVLA 'motorcaravans' , for this reason and others.
Ours has a table useable inside or out, but isn't permanently mounted.

 

[Lenny HB]

Small one for general use but the wife likes a big one in the evenings.

Really!

 

[poppycamper]

Many PVCs won't be DVLA 'motorcaravans' , for this reason and others.
Ours has a table useable inside or out, but isn't permanently mounted.

Greasy Chap Butty . Check #50 Does not need to be permanently mounted.
"Only table mountings need to be permanently mounted, table top may be detachable.!
So many PVC's are indeed Motor Caravans.

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[Greasy Chap Butty]

Greasy Chap Butty . Check #50 Does not need to be permanently mounted.
"Only table mountings need to be permanently mounted, table top may be detachable.!
So many PVC's are indeed Motor Caravans.

True.
You have to jump the other hoops too. External graphics, and awning. We have the other things, but will probably stay as a van with windows.

 

[poppycamper]

True.
You have to jump the other hoops too. External graphics, and awning. We have the other things, but will probably stay as a van with windows.

Yea I feel for you unfortunates.... We lucky in that we managed to get our conversion reclassed as Motor Caravan weeks before it all went pear shaped at DVLA.
However still does not mean we are accepted as a motor caravans by the snobs in in their big gin palaces, who incidently DVLA also class as "Motor Caravans" Oohh reverse logic, does that make them camper vanners as well. No to them we will always be "Camper Vans" with whoosh bang doors..

 

[Madcaravanner]

We have a table as such lives in the Offside Wardrobe but we also got our hands on a small camping table that is suitable as a coffee table



Note the extra bar on the large table for stability outside

 

[bobnick]

We searched for a MH the specifically DID NOT have a permanent table in the lounge area.
Would rather not have a MH than one with a dinette.
Our 2 tables are neatly stored away and either is brought out as and when we need and we choose if we need the large one or small one.
Oh and they don't rattle in their storeage hole.

 

[poppycamper]

We have a table as such lives in the Offside Wardrobe but we also got our hands on a small camping table that is suitable as a coffee table

View attachment 682728View attachment 682729

Note the extra bar on the large table for stability outside

Interesting is that in a converted van or a coach built motorhome.. thr reason I ask is is appears to contravene DVLA's specifications as a Motor Home in that it does not appear to have a permanent fixture even if table is removable.

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[pelican]

Really!

Thinking of getting a telescopic one